Countdown begins for historic Nong Chompoo ruling

webfact · October 20, 2023

File photo : Chaiyaphol Wipa or Loong Phol

On October 31, a Criminal Court verdict will come down on a case that once captivated Thailand. If “Loong Phol” is set free, it can bring a trail-blazing defense strategy into sharp focus. But on the other hand, if his unprecedented use of social media fails to prevent a murder conviction, the celebrated defendant will have lost to old-style justice system and much of the country will drop its jaw.

The case has everything. A mother who lost her child and then, initially, could not leave her home because much of the world thought she did it herself. The girl’s uncle-in-law who became a police suspect and thanks to the media was engulfed in a groundswell of public sympathy. The man’s eventual fallout with the mainstream media because of negative reporting. Stories of extreme jealousy, of an unbelievable from-rags-to-riches journey, of superstitious beliefs of the locals and of alleged scams involving fraud and money laundering.

Chaiyaphol Wipa has been on trial for the death of three-year-old child Orawan Wongsricha, or “Nong Chompoo”, who was his wife’s niece. The girl disappeared on May 11, 2020. Three days later, her body was found naked, up on a hill several kilometres from her house. Chaiyaphol, aka Loong Phol, became a suspect but the mainstream media portrayed him as a poor and naïve man and he attracted unheard-of sympathy and popularity.

He and his wife, Somporn, aka Pa Taen, were finally implicated. But from a family that used blankets as parts of house and toilet walls, he and his wife managed to buy a brand-new van. His fan club that existed throughout Thailand and much overseas sent trucks loaded with furniture and basic necessities to the couple’s home, which was to be renovated beyond recognition. Video clips of him eating rice and plain omelet had millions of views on YouTube.

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-20

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